Communication Device and Methods for Use By Hearing Impaired

ABSTRACT

A method for setting tones on an assisted user&#39;s communication device where the assisted user is hearing impaired, the method comprising the steps of (a) storing a sample voice recording in a memory of an assisted user&#39;s device, (b) presenting tone setting tools via a display screen on an assisted user&#39;s device, (c) receiving tone setting parameters via the assisted user&#39;s device, (d) playing the sample voice recording via a speaker on the assisted user&#39;s device where the sample voice recording is broadcast using the tone specified by the tone setting parameters, (e) repeating steps (b) through (d) until the tone of the sample voice recording is optimized; and (f) storing the optimized tone setting parameters for subsequent use as well as a method by which a proxy can help an assisted user enter manage contact and other information on an assisted user&#39;s device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/918,817 filed on Dec. 20, 2013 and entitled “COMMUNICATION DEVICEAND METHODS FOR USE BY HEARING IMPAIRED.”

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to communication devices and methods forhearing impaired persons and more specifically to concepts related tohelping a hearing impaired person maintain a contact list and topersonally customize the tone of voice messages broadcast by acommunication device used by the hearing impaired person.

Special phones which are referred to hereinafter as assisted userdevices have been developed that provide captioning services to deaf orpartially hearing impaired persons (hereinafter “assisted users”). Tothis end, when a hearing user and an assisted user are participating ina voice telephone call, when the hearing user speaks, the hearing user'svoice is transmitted to a remote relay where the hearing user's voice istranslated into text, often with the aid of a call assistant or relayoperator. The text is transmitted to the assisted user's device wherethe text is displayed via a device display for the assisted user toview, generally at the same time that the hearing user's voice isbroadcast via a device speaker to the assisted user to hear.Transmission of voice and text can be along various types ofcommunication links including conventional telephone lines, the internetor some other type of communication network, wirelessly, etc. Exemplaryassisted user devices and relay systems are well known in the art. Forexample, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,835 entitled “System For Text AssistedTelephony” which issued on Aug. 5, 2003 and which is incorporated hereinin its entirety by reference. While relay assisted user devices haveproven extremely useful to hearing impaired persons, such devices stillhave several shortcomings.

One shortcoming associated with assisted user devices is related tomaintaining up-to-date contact information on the device. At least someassisted user devices have the ability to store contact information forexpediting access to phone numbers and other information and forexpediting the process of placing calls to others. Here, in many cases,a phone number dialing keyboard serves double duty as a tool to entercontact information including contact names, phone and other numbers,e-mail addresses and perhaps other information. In some cases a fullQWERTY keyboard may be provided for entering contact information. Toinitiate a call to a contact from a previously entered contact list,some type of input device is provided for scrolling through or otherwisesearching for a specific contact and to place a call to a selectedcontact via the assisted user's device.

While device stored contact information has proven very useful inassisted user devices when used, the processes for entering contactinformation have often proven to be an impediment to use. To this end,double duty data input components (e.g., a dialing pad) on some assisteduser devices often are not intuitive to use. Even where an assisteduser's device includes a full QWERTY keyboard for information entry,steps required for entering contact information are often complex and/orconfusing. Where a tool is not intuitive, users routinely forego use ofthe tool and the advantages associated therewith.

Many people now use computers to maintain extensive contact informationfor business and personal associates. For instance, Microsoft Outlook isone popular software program that is used by many computer users tomaintain contact information. One advantage associated with maintainingcontact information via a computer is that computers include a fullQUERTY keyboard and a large display for entering contact information.

In addition to maintaining contact information via a computer, manysmart phone and other communication devices today provide the abilityfor a device user to store and access contact information includingnames, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, regular addresses, pictures,etc., for virtually thousands of people. In many cases a smart phoneuser is also a computer user. Most phone and computer users want accessto the same contact information via their computer and their smartphone. For this reason, systems have been developed whereby a phone anda computer can be linked to the same contact storing account so thatcontact information can be automatically synchronized between a smartphone and a computer.

While automated synchronization between smart phone and computer contactinformation is useful if an assisted user has and regularly uses acomputer, many assisted users do not regularly use a computer and, ifthey do use a computer, may not use software on the computer to storecontact information. In this regard, many hearing impaired persons areelderly, having lost a portion of their hearing capability over time.Elderly people often do not keep up with technological advances andtherefore many are uncomfortable with using software including contactstoring software. Thus, even if contact information on an assisteduser's device and a computer were to be synchronized, in many cases anassisted user would not take advantage of the synchronizing function ormaintaining a complete contact list and instead would forego advantagesassocated with an up-to-date list.

Another shortcoming associated with assisted user devices is related tocustomizing audio tone parameters for specific assisted users. It hasbeen recognized that people that experience hearing loss do not allexperience hearing loss in the same way. Thus, for instance, oneassisted user may experience loss of hearing at high frequencies whileanother experiences loss at lower frequencies and a third may experienceimpaired hearing at multiple frequencies. Because assisted usersexperience hearing loss differently, not surprisingly communicationdevices used by assisted users have been developed that enable a user toadjust frequency responses or tone differently to accommodate individualuser preferences. In other words, the devices enable a user to increaseor decrease bass, increase or decrease treble, etc.

To adjust tone, manual equalizer type controls, either mechanical orvirtual on a display, have been provided on assisted user devices. Inknown cases an equalizer feature may include five or more independentlyselectable slider buttons or virtual icons (hereinafter “slidercontrols”), each corresponding to a different frequency within the humanhearing range. Each slider control is typically arranged along avertical slide column where vertical positions along the slide columncorrespond to different decibel values along a range. By setting theslider controls at different locations along the ranges, the tone ofsounds generated by an assisted user's device is customized.

Where devices have controls such as equalizers for customizing tone,typically parameters are set during a phone call. For instance, while anassisted user is carrying on a conversation with a hearing user via theassisted user's device, the assisted user accesses the equalizercontrols and adjusts those controls until the user perceives that a toneis optimized (e.g., that the user hears best with a set of slidercontrol settings). After the equalizer settings are set, the settingsremain set during subsequent calls unless the assisted user resets thesettings during a subsequent call. While this solution can be used, therequirement to set equalizer settings during a call in order to hear theeffects of the settings is burdensome as it requires the assisted userto adjust around with settings during a conversation. In many cases anassisted user may completely miss a portion of a conversation whilesimultaneously setting slider controls or may mis-perceive what was saidby a hearing user.

In addition, often times voice messages from a hearing user during acall may not be optimized for setting tone. To this end, a specifichearing user may have an unusual voice or may speak in a low or highvolume which is out of the ordinary. Here, if an assisted user sets toneor other audio parameters using an unusual voice or under oddcircumstances, the settings will likely be less than optimal duringconversations with other hearing users or when the odd circumstances arenot present (e.g., when a hearing user speaks in a normal volume range).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that many hearing impaired persons have caregivers (hereafter “a proxy”; e.g., a son or daughter, a friend, arelative, etc.) that can help maintain an assisted user device contactlist from a remote location and in a limited way that does not cause asense of invasion of an assisted user's privacy. To this end, in atleast some embodiments of the present invention, a web site is providedthat can be used by an assisted user's proxy to update/maintain contactinformation on an assisted user's device. Here, each assisted userdevice is assigned a unique assisted user device identification number.An assisted user can give her device identification number to a local orremote proxy. For instance, an assisted user may give her deviceidentification number to her daughter living at a location remote fromthe assisted user's residence (e.g., in another state). The proxy canaccess the website via a conventional internet browser running on anycomputer (e.g., the proxy's personal computer) and enter the deviceidentification number into a field to indicate the device for whichcontact information is to be modified. Once the identification numberhas been entered, the proxy can change existing or enter new contactinformation in an intuitive fashion.

After entering new or changing existing contact information, the proxycan select a “sync” control (e.g., a virtual button on a display screen)to store the changed information and place the server in a waiting stateto wait for an indication generated using the assisted user's device tosync information. Subsequently, once the assisted user accesses theassisted user's device, the assisted user selects a sync control (e.g.,virtual button on a display screen) causing the assisted user's deviceto link to the system server and indicate that the assisted user desiresto synchronize the server and user device contact information. Ifchanges to the contact information exist synchronization begins. If themost recent changes to the contact information have already beensynchronized with the assisted user's device, a synchronization timersimply times out.

For security purposes, in at least some embodiments, synchronization mayonly be enabled either while the proxy is still linked to the website orwithin a short time (e.g., one hour) after the proxy has selected thesync control or exited the website. In addition to changing contact listinformation, a proxy may also be able to change speed dial preferences,a favorites list for an assisted user or other types of information.

In at least some cases if a proxy has made changes to an assisted user'scontact list or other device information and requested a sync withoutthe assisted user also confirming a desire to sync by selecting a synccontrol on the assisted user's device, the changes may be stored by theserver running the website to be used subsequently to attempt to sync.For instance, two days after a proxy makes changes and unsuccessfullyattempts to sync, the proxy may confirm that an assisted user isavailable to retry a synchronizing process and the sync controlselection process described above may be repeated.

In still other embodiments the system may be programmed to require bothan assisted user and a proxy for the user to enter the same pin orpassword in order to update contact or other information on the assisteduser's device. For instance, when a proxy selects a sync control (e.g.,a virtual button or icon on a display), the system server may beprogrammed to generate a four digit pin number and present that numberto the proxy. Here, when the proxy contacts the assisted user toindicate that a synchronization process should be initiated, the proxywould give the four digit pin number to the assisted user. Then, whenthe assisted user selects a sync control to initiate a synchronizationprocess, the assisted user's device would query the assisted user forthe four digit pin number. Upon entry of the pin number the sync processwould then commence. In other cases upon selecting a sync control, theserver may require the proxy to enter any four digit pin number (e.g., anumber selected by the proxy) and instruct the proxy to provide theentered number to the assisted user. Here, upon the assisted userentering the pin via the user's device, synchronization would commence.

Regarding assisted user devices that include an equalizer, it has beenrecognized that an equalizer or other tone controllers can be set on anassisted user's device independent of a call between the assisted userand another person. To this end, a device processor can store samplevoice recordings that can be played by an assisted user as the usermodifies tone settings. During a setup procedure the assisted user canlisten to the sample recordings with different tone settings and canselect optimized settings for the particular user given the user'sspecific hearing impairment. Once tone settings have been optimized, thesettings can be stored for subsequent use. In at least some embodimentsthe recordings include both male and female voices so that an assisteduser can identify optimized tone settings for all types of voices. Otherparameters in addition to tone may be set during similar processesincluding volume, etc. In addition, tone can be set by separatelyadjusting treble, bass or other parameters during commissioning andwhile listening to sample recordings.

In at least some embodiments two or more optimized tone settings may beselected for different types of voices and the user's device may thenselect an optimized tone setting based on characteristics of a voicereceived by the assisted user's device. For instance, a user may set anoptimized tone setting for a typical relatively low male voice and asecond optimized tone setting for a typical relatively high femalevoice. Then, when a call is received, an assisted user's device maymodify tone setting as a function of characteristics of the voicemessage received by the device.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described. The followingdescription and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certainillustrative aspects of the invention. However, these aspects areindicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles ofthe invention can be employed. Other aspects, advantages and novelfeatures of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description of the invention when considered in conjunctionwith the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary communicationsystem including an assisted user's text captioning device that isconsistent with at least some aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating components of the assisteduser's device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process that may be performed bythe proxy workstation and system server shown in FIG. 1 enabling a proxyfor an assisted user to enter contact and other types of information tobe downloaded to an assisted user's device upon consent;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen shot that may bepresented via the proxy workstation display screen shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, albeit illustrating a different screenshot;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 4, albeit illustrating another screen shot;

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 4, albeit illustrating yet another screenshot;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process that may be performed bythe assisted user's device processor shown in FIG. 2 for consenting tochanges to contact and other information entered by a proxy;

FIG. 9 is schematic illustration a screen shot that may be presented viathe assisted user's device display screen shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a sub process that may be substituted for a portion of theprocess shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is yet another screen shot that may be presented via theassisted user's device display screen shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a screen shot for setting tones using pre-set high, mediumand low tone settings and for listening to sample pre-recorded voicemessages to assess which of the three settings is optimal for anassisted user;

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12, albeit providing a customizing equalizertool for personal customization of an audiogram;

FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a process that may be performed bythe processor shown in FIG. 2 for setting tone on an assisted user'sdevice;

FIG. 15 is a sub-process that may be substituted for a portion of theFIG. 3 process where a pin number is used by a proxy and an assisteduser to add an additional level of security to a system; and

FIG. 16 is a process performed by an assisted user's device as theprocess associated with FIG. 15 is performed by a system server.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the description herein of specificembodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particularforms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The various aspects of the subject disclosure are now described withreference to the annexed drawings, wherein like reference numeralscorrespond to similar elements throughout the several views. It shouldbe understood, however, that the drawings and detailed descriptionhereafter relating thereto are not intended to limit the claimed subjectmatter to the particular form disclosed. Rather, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

As used herein, the terms “component,” “system” and the like areintended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, acombination of hardware and software, software, or software inexecution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being,a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable,a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way ofillustration, both an application running on a computer and the computercan be a component. One or more components may reside within a processand/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers or processors.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals correspondto similar elements throughout the several view and, more specifically,referring to FIG. 1, the present invention will be described in thecontext of an exemplary communication system 10 including, among othercomponents, an assisted user's communication device 12, a hearing user'scommunication device 14, a computer or system 16 used by a relayoperator to assist an assisted user in communicating with a hearinguser, a computer or other type of proxy workstation 18 for use by aperson assisting the user of device 12 and a system server 65. Theassisted user's device 12 may be linked via a telephone line 30 to thehearing user's device 14 to facilitate a voice telephone call between anassisted user and a hearing user. To this end, referring also to FIG. 2,an exemplary assisted user device 12 includes a processor 20, a speaker24, a microphone 26, a keyboard 27 and a telephone link 30. In at leastsome embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the speaker and microphone 24 and26, respectively, may be provided in a conventional telephone handsetthat an assisted user can hold up to the user's ear and mouth duringcommunication.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the exemplary hearing user's device 14 isshown as a telephone including a keyboard 40 and a handset 42 that wouldinclude, among other components, a speaker and a microphone that are notseparately labeled. In other embodiments, the hearing user's device mayinclude other types of communication devices such as, for instance, acellular telephone, a smart phone, or any other type of telephone orcommunication device. The telephone link 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 maybe a conventional telephone line or any other type of communication linkincluding but not limited to the internet, another network connection, awireless connection, etc.

To place a call from the assisted user's device 12 to the hearing user'sdevice 14, an assisted user may pick up the handset 24/26 and simplydial a telephone number associated with the hearing user's device 14using keyboard 27. During a voice communication with a hearing user, theassisted user's voice is transmitted by device 12 via line 30 to device14. Similarly, a hearing user's voice is transmitted along line 30 todevice 12 and is broadcast via the speaker 24 in the handset of device12 to the ear of the assisted user.

When an assisted user has difficulty hearing voice messages broadcastvia speaker 24 from the hearing user, the assisted user can initiate acaptioning service whereby the voice messages of the hearing user aretranscribed into text and presented to the assisted user via theassisted user's device 12 substantially simultaneously with broadcast ofthe hearing user's voice messages. To this end, referring again to FIGS.1 and 2, assisted user's device 12 also includes a display 22 and arelay link 28. When an assisted user initiates a captioning service,processor 20 in the assisted user's device 12 connects via link 28 tothe relay 16 and provides the hearing user's voice messages to the relay16. The link 28 may be any type of link including a conventionaltelephone line, an internet or other network type link, a wireless link,etc.

At the relay 16, the hearing user's voice messages are transcribed intotext and the text is transmitted back to the assisted user's device 12via link 28 or a third communication link and the transcribed text ispresented to the assisted user via display 22. The voice to textconversion or transcription at relay 16 may be automated, partiallyautomated or facilitated via a call assistant that listens to thehearing user's voice messages and either types or revoices or both typesand revoices the voice messages to transcribe the text as known in theart.

Referring to FIG. 1, the exemplary proxy workstation 18 includes acomputer or other type of workstation and, in at least some embodiments,may be equipped with a telephone 64. The proxy computer includes sometype of input device like a keyboard 60 as well as an output device suchas, for instance, a display screen 62. The proxy computer can be linkedvia a communication line or link of some type identified by numeral 31to the system server 65. The link 31 may be any type of communicationlink including a conventional telephone line, an internet or othernetwork-type link, a wireless link, etc. As shown in FIG. 1, phone 64can be linked to the assisted user's device 12 so that a proxy workingon workstation 18 can communicate verbally with an assisted user usingdevice 12.

Referring yet again to FIG. 1, the assisted user's device 12 may also belinked via a line or some type of communication link 29 to server 65.Server 65, among other things, runs software that enables the server topost a website that can be accessed by the proxy using station 18. Inaddition, server 65 can be linked via line 29 to assisted user's device12 to cooperate with software on the user's device 12 to provideinformation to the assisted user using device 12 and to, on at leastsome of the embodiments, update information such as contact informationor other types of information stored in a memory accessible by thedevice processor 20 (see again FIG. 2).

Referring again to FIG. 1, any of the computers at the relay or at theproxy workstation and the assisted user's device 12 may include a touchsensitive display screen and/or a more conventional input device such asa mouse or other mechanical input device for controlling movement andactivation of a cursor on an associated computer display screen forpointing to, selecting or otherwise interacting with virtual buttons orother controls on the display screen. Hereafter it will be assumed thatat least the assisted user device 12 includes a touch screen 22 unlessindicated otherwise.

Consistent with at least some aspects of the present disclosure, onefeature that may be implemented via the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 isa procedure whereby a proxy using workstation 18 may be able to help anassisted user enter or input contact and other types of information intothe assisted user's device 12. To this end, referring also to FIG. 3, aprocess 60 whereby a proxy helps an assisted user enter contact andother information into the memory of device 12 is shown. The processshown in FIG. 3 includes process steps performed by the computerassociated with workstation 18 as well as steps performed by systemserver 65. Steps performed by the processor in the assisted user'sdevice 12 to update contact and other types of information are shown inFIG. 8. Exemplary screen shots that may be presented via the proxyworkstation display 62 (see again FIG. 1) during the contact and otherinformation update process are shown in FIGS. 4-7. An exemplary screenshot used by an assisted user to accept updates made by a proxy tocontact and other information on the assisted user's device 12 is shownin FIG. 9.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2 and also to FIG. 3, to begin thecontact and other information updating process, at process block 62, atime out period is set. Here, the time out period corresponds to theduration of a period after which a proxy initiates an updating processin which an assisted user has to agree to the updating or synchronizingprocess in order for the process to be completed. For instance, in atleast some embodiments, the time out period may be as short as five orten minutes. In other embodiments, the time out period may be as long asone or even two hours. In still other embodiments, other time outperiods are contemplated. In addition, at process block 62, a timer thatis used to time the time out period is set to zero. The idea here isthat the timeout period will operate as a type of security measure toensure that someone does not either inadvertently or nefariously changecontact information for or with the help of an assisted user that isconfused by a request to sync. By requiring both a proxy and an assisteduser to request synchronization substantially simultaneously or within ashort time period, a proxy will be encouraged to make changes when theproxy knows that an assisted user is available to confirm a syncprocess.

Continuing, at block 64, a proxy receives an assisted user's device IDwhich is required for the proxy to enter any information into the systemassociated with a specific assisted user. Here, it is contemplated thateach assisted user device will be assigned a unique assisted device IDnumber or character string (hereinafter “a device ID”) which can be usedby any proxy to enter information for the assisted user. In the presentexample, it will be assumed that each assisted device ID will include aseven-digit serial number. In the present example, an exemplaryseven-digit number for user device 12 shown in FIG. 1 will be “9993364”.Other format serial numbers are also contemplated. At block 66, a proxyuses workstation 18 and a browser window opened on screen 62 to accesssystem server 65. When a proxy uses the browser to access the systemserver website, the server welcomes the proxy onto the site and requeststhat the proxy enter identifying information for the proxy as well as anassisted user's device ID. To this end, see the exemplary screen shotshown in FIG. 4 where instructions for identifying the proxy andentering the ID are provided at 90 and fields 92 and 94 are provided forthe proxy to enter the proxy's name and the assisted user's device ID,respectively. As shown, in the present example, the proxy's name is“Peter Sargent” and the seven-digit device ID is “9993364.” In FIG. 3,the proxy enters the device ID at block 68.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 3, and also FIG. 5, after the proxyenters and submits the required information, server 65 attempts toidentify the assisted user associated with the device ID. If the deviceID was incorrectly entered or there is no device associated with theentered ID, an error is presented to the proxy and a different ID wouldbe requested. Once a device ID that is associated with a particularassisted user's device has been entered, referring to FIG. 5, aconfirmation screen shot is provided including instructions 96requesting that the proxy confirm that the proxy intends to enterinformation associated with the identified assisted user. In FIG. 5, itcan be seen that the assisted user associated with the device ID enteredin FIG. 4 is “Jodi Dempsey.” In FIG. 5, the assisted user's name 98 isunderlined, bolded, highlighted or otherwise visually distinguished sothat the proxy can clearly see the name of the assisted user associatedwith the entered number. The screen shot in FIG. 5 provides both a“Confirm” icon 100 and a “No—back to prior page” icon 102. The proxy canconfirm that the user identified at 98 is the correct assisted user byselecting icon 100. To go back and enter a different device ID, theproxy can select icon 102.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 3, after the proxy confirms that the userassociated with the entered device ID is the correct user, controlpasses to block 70 where the proxy can edit contact or otherinformation. To this end, see the exemplary screen shot shown at FIG. 6where current contact information and some control icons are presented.A current contact list is shown at 110 which would include a list of allcontacts previously stored in the memory associated with assisted userdevice 12. Here, while only three contacts are shown in FIG. 6, it iscontemplated that thousands of contacts could be stored. In addition,while only name and phone number information is shown in FIG. 6 for eachone of the contacts, other information will be stored in at least someembodiments. For example, images of at least some of the contacts may bestored, addresses for the contacts may be stored, e-mails or othercontact information for each of the contacts may be stored, notes (e.g.,birthdays, wedding dates, job titles, etc.) associated with any one ofthe contacts may be stored. To modify information associated with apreviously stored contact, in some embodiments it is contemplated thatthe proxy may simply select the contact from the list to open up a menuof tools for adding additional contact information, changing existingcontact information, etc.

Referring still to FIG. 6, the exemplary screen shot also includes an“Add New Contact” icon 112, a “Speed Dial” icon 114 and “Favorites” icon116. Each of icons 112, 114 and 116 may be selected by a proxy to changecontact information. For instance, to add a new contact, icon 112 isselected. To add or change speed dial information on device 12, icon 114is selected. To modify a list of favorites from the contacts in thecontact list 110, icon 116 is selected. Other ways for a proxy to modifycontact information or, for that matter, to change other types ofinformation associated with the user's device 12 are contemplated andthe examples here should not be considered limiting.

Referring yet again to FIG. 6, after a proxy has made changes that theproxy desired to make to the contact information associated with theassisted user, the proxy can select the “Ready to Sync” icon 118 shownat the bottom of the screen shot to start a syncing process.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 3, and also to FIG. 7, once the syncingprocess has been started, in at least some embodiments server 65 mayprovide instructions 120 via another screen shot to the proxy informingthe proxy that for a syncing process to be completed, the assisted usermust confirm a desire to sync with the changes to the contactinformation and other information entered by the proxy within a shorttime period (i.e., the duration of the time out period set at block 62).The instructions 120 may prompt to the proxy to contact the assisteduser (e.g., via e-mail, via the workstation phone 64, etc.) and let theassisted user know that the proxy intends to commence or has commenced asyncing process. At block 72, the proxy selects the sync button 122shown in FIG. 7. After the sync request has been transmitted, at block76, server 65 starts the timeout timer, after which control passes downto block 78 and 82, where the server 65 monitors for a “sync”confirmation signal from the assisted user and also monitors for the endof the timeout period.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 through 3 and now also to FIG. 8, the nexttime the assisted user accesses the assisted user's device, at block 134device 12 presents a sync selection tool or icon via display 22 atdevice 12. Referring also to FIG. 9, an exemplary screen shot forpresenting icons usable by an assisted user to confirm the desire tosync is shown. The screen shot includes instructions 160 that tell theassisted user how to commence a syncing process. In at least someembodiments the screen shot will also let the assisted user know theidentify or name of the proxy that is attempting to edit the contact orother information on the assisted user's device. In FIG. 9, the identityof the proxy is visually distinguished in some fashion such as, forinstance, bolding, underlining, highlighting, etc. The screen shot inFIG. 9 also includes the “Sync” icon 164 that can be selected by theassisted user to start a syncing process. In other embodiments a “Sync”icon may always be accessible via the assisted user's device regardlessof whether or not a proxy has updated information for a specific user.Here, when the sync icon is selected and there is no updated data, whilethe assisted user's device may commence the synchronization process, noupdating would occur.

Referring again to FIG. 8, after the sync selection screen is presentedto the assisted user at block 134, control passes down to block 136where the assisted user's device processor 20 monitors for a syncselection. If the sync icon is not selected, control continues to loopthrough blocks 134 and 136. Once the sync icon is selected, controlpasses down to block 138 where a “sync select” signal is transmitted toserver 65. At block 140 a timeout timer is started by assisted userdevice processor 20 to timeout a synchronization time (e.g., a fewseconds, a minute, etc.).

Referring again to FIG. 3, when the server 65 receives the “sync select”signal at block 78, control passes to block 80 where server 65 transmitsany updated contact or other information to the assisted user's device12.

Referring again to FIG. 8, at block 142, when the assisted user's devicereceives the updated information, the assisted user's device uses thatinformation to update the contact or other information stored in thedevice memory at block 144. In addition, at blocks 80 and 144, anycontact or other information that has been modified by the assisted uservia the user's device 12 may be transmitted to server 65 to update thatinformation in the server memory for the assisted user's account. Afterblock 80, control passes back up to block 62 and the process isrepeated. In FIG. 8, after block 144, control passes back up to block134 where monitoring for another sync request occurs.

Referring again to FIG. 8, if no updated information is received afterthe assisted user selects the sync control, control passes to block 146where processor 20 determines if the assisted user's device timeoutperiod has lapsed. If the timeout period has not lapsed control passesback up to block 142 where the process described above continues toloop. Once the assisted user's device timeout period lapses, controlpasses back up to block 134 in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 3, at block 78, if no “sync” signal is received from theassisted user's device control passes to block 82 where the server 65determines if the timeout period set at block 62 has lapsed. If thetimeout period has not lapsed the process continues to loop throughblocks 78 and 82. Once the timeout period monitored by the server 65lapses control passes to block 88 where the updated contact and otherinformation may be stored by server 65 for subsequent use during asubsequent attempt to synchronize with the assisted user's devicememory. In other embodiments, block 88 may not be included and theinformation updated by the proxy may simply be discarded.

In at least some embodiments it is contemplated that an assisted usermay want to view contact and other information updates that a proxy isattempting to make to the assisted user's contact and other informationon the assisted user's device prior to authorizing a synchronization. Tothis end, a sub process 170 that may be substituted for block 144 inFIG. 8 is shown in FIG. 10. Referring also to FIG. 8, after a syncselect signal is transmitted to server 65 at block 142, control may passto block 172 where the assisted user's device 12 (see again FIG. 1)receives the updated contact or other information.

While assisted user confirmation of contact information and other typesof device updating is particularly preferred to ensure that onlyauthorized updates are synchronized, in at least some embodiments it iscontemplated that one or more “trusted” proxy locations may bedesignated for each or at least a subset of the assisted users where thetrusted proxy can initiate a synchronization update or process withoutrequiring authorization by an assisted user. For instance, in at leastsome cases a customer service representative for the entity providingthe proxy features described above may be a trusted proxy associatedwith a device (e.g., a computer) that is associated with the provider(e.g., location would be a virtual location associated with a trustednetwork address, URL, etc., as opposed to a geographic location or maybe a geographic location in some cases). This feature would be useful bya customer service representative to assist an assisted user withoutrequiring user confirmation.

In still other embodiments it is contemplated that an assisted user maybe able to designate one or more trusted proxies (e.g., a daughter, asocial worker, etc.) enabling those proxies to update the assisteduser's contact and other information without assisted userauthorization. In any of these cases, when an assisted user accesses theuser's device, the device may be programmed to automatically link to thesystem server, check for changes to the contact and other informationfor the assisted user's device made by a trusted proxy or a proxy at thetrusted location and may then update the user's device information ifsuitable updates are available.

At block 174, the assisted user may be able to access and view theupdated contact and other information prior to storing that informationon the assisted user's device in a persistent fashion. To this end, seethe exemplary screen shot shown in FIG. 11 that provides instructionsletting the assisted user know that there is contact information forupdating, presenting the contact information to the assisted user andpresenting “no update” and “update” icons 190 and 192, respectively, tobe selected to either forego the update process or to continue theupdate process, respectively. At decision block 176, the assisted user'sdevice 12 monitors for a confirmation from the assisted user to updatepersistently stored contact or other information. If the assisted useropts to forego the update, control passes to block 180 where the updatedinformation is discarded after which control passes back up to block 132in FIG. 8 as described above. At block 176, if the assisted userconfirms that the update process should continue, control passes toblock 178 where the contact and other information is used to update thepersistently stored information on the assisted user's device 12. Afterblock 178, control passes back up to block 132.

While assisted user confirmation of contact information and other typesof device updating is particularly preferred to ensure that onlyauthorized updates are synchronized, in at least some embodiments it iscontemplated that one or more “trusted” proxy locations may bedesignated for each or at least a subset of the assisted users where thetrusted proxy can initiate a synchronization update or process withoutrequiring authorization by an assisted user. For instance, in at leastsome cases a customer service representative for the entity providingthe proxy features described above may be a trusted proxy associatedwith a device (e.g., a computer) that is associated with the provider(e.g., location would be a virtual location associated with a trustednetwork address, URL, etc., as opposed to a geographic location or maybe a geographic location in some cases). This feature would be useful bya customer service representative to assist an assisted user withoutrequiring user confirmation.

In still other embodiments it is contemplated that an assisted user maybe able to designate one or more trusted proxies (e.g., a daughter, asocial worker, etc.) enabling those proxies to update the assisteduser's contact and other information without assisted userauthorization. In any of these cases, when an assisted user accesses theuser's device, the device may be programmed to automatically link to thesystem server, check for changes to the contact and other informationfor the assisted user's device made by a trusted proxy or a proxy at thetrusted location and may then update the user's device information ifsuitable updates are available.

In some embodiments the system processors may be programmed to addanother level of security to ensure that only updates from trustedproxies are made to an assisted user's device information. For instance,in at least some embodiments it is contemplated that the system willrequire both a proxy and an assisted user to enter an identical code orpin number or word in order to initiate data synchronization. To thisend see the exemplary sub-process 298 in FIG. 15 that may be substitutedfor a portion of the FIG. 3 process and the process 398 in FIG. 16 thatmay be substituted for the process in FIG. 8. In FIGS. 15 and 16 blocksthat are labeled with the same numbers as blocks in FIGS. 3 and 8perform the sape steps and therefore are not described again here indetail.

Referring also to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, after a proxy selects the synccontrol at block 72, control may pass to block 300 in FIG. 15 where theproxy obtains a random pin number. Here, the step of obtaining a randompin number may include the proxy simply personally selecting a randomfour digit number. In other cases the step of obtaining a random pinnumber may include the system server 65 generating a random pin numberand providing that number to the proxy. At step 302 the proxy providesthe random pin number to an assisted user for which the updates havebeen entered. Here, the proxy may provide the random pin number in anyfashion including, for instance, calling the assisted user via theuser's device 12, transmitting an e-mail to the assisted user, etc.

Referring to FIG. 16, at step 400 the assisted user receives the pinnumber associated with updates made by the proxy from the proxy. Atblock 134 a sync control is presented to the assisted user via theuser's device 12. after the assisted user selects the sync icon at block136 and the sync select signal is sent to the server 65 at block 138, atblock 402 the assisted user's device queries the assisted user for thefour digit pin number. Once the pin number is entered at block 402 it istransmitted to server 65 at block 404 after which control passes toblock 142 where the assisted user's device waits for updated informationfrom the server 65.

Referring again to FIG. 15, at block 78 server 65 waits for the syncselect signal and once it is received the server 65 waits to receive apin from the assisted user's device. Once the pin is received, controlpasses to block 80 where the updated information associated with the pinis transmitted to the assisted user's device for updating purposes.After block 80 control passes back up to block 62 in FIG. 3.

In still other embodiments the assisted user may select the random pinnumber and provide that number to the proxy for entry, the assisteduser's device may generate the random number and present it to theassisted user upon selection of a sync control so that the assisted usercan provide the pin to the proxy for entry, etc. In yet otherembodiments where server 65 generates the random pin, the random pin maybe automatically presented to each of the assisted user and the proxy,the proxy via the proxy work station 18 and the assisted user in anyfashion including text, e-mail, a voice mail message, etc.

One advantage to requiring entry of identical pin numbers by a proxy andan assisted user is that the timeout timers can be discarded. This isbecause the pin numbers may provide sufficient security regardless ofwhen an assisted user commences a synchronization process relative towhen the proxy updated the user's information. Thus, for instance, aproxy may update an assisted user's content and then send an e-mail tothe assisted user indicating that a sync should be performed andincluding the four digit pin number. Two weeks later the assisted usermay want to first synchronize information and may, at that time, enterthe pin number to synchronize.

While some embodiments contemplate that a proxy will have to alwayscontact an assisted user to commence a synchronization process, in otherembodiments it is contemplated that the server 65 may be programmed toautomatically transmit an e-mail, text, voice mail, etc., to an assisteduser any time updated information is stored at the server 65. This isparticularly useful in cases where a pin number or other code isassociated with an update. For instance, an automated e-mail mayindicate that synchronization is in order and may provide a pin numberto the assisted user irrespective of whether or not the pin was providedto the proxy. In this case the assisted user would simply enter the pinusing the user's device 12 to commence synchronization.

Still other embodiments are contemplated that would include both the pinnumber and timeout timer features for an even higher level of securityin some cases.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an exemplary screen shot that may be presentedvia an assisted user's device display 22 (see again FIG. 1) foradjusting the tone of voice messages broadcast by the assisted user'sdevice speaker 24 (see again FIG. 2) is shown. As illustrated, thescreen shot includes three pre-set tone frequency settings that havebeen optimized for hearing low, medium and high pitch voices that can beselected by an assisted user. To this end see touch selectable icons252, 254 and 256, respectively, that correspond to low, medium and highpitch voices. Text is also presented at 258 to indicate textually to auser which pitch each setting is optimized for. For instance, in FIG.12, a selection box 270 surrounds icon 256 indicating that the highpitch icon has been selected and the text 258 indicates that thesettings are optimized for high pitch voices.

Once broadcast tone has been selected by an assisted user, in at leastsome embodiments, the assisted user may choose to listen to apre-recorded sample voice recording broadcast by the device speaker 24so that the assisted user can determine whether or not the tone settingsare optimized for the particular user. To this end, the screen shot inFIG. 12 also includes a play icon 212 that can be selected to play thesample recording. In at least some embodiments, the sample recording mayinclude a female voice followed by a male voice to generate both femaleand male voice messages for the assisted user to listen to whileassessing whether or not the tone is optimized for the particular user.The recording is played at the current volume setting on the phone.

As a sample recording is played, a bar 214 moves along an elongatedrecording field to indicate where along the duration of the samplerecording the broadcast is at any given time. Here, if desired, theassisted user may move bar 214 to any location along the recording fieldand again select the play icon 212 to listen to a portion of therecording. For example, if an assisted user can easily hear a femalevoice that is first broadcast as part of the recording, but is havingdifficulty hearing a male voice presented during the second half of therecording, the assisted user may move bar 214 to approximately themidway point along the recording field and then select the play icon 212to play only the male portion of the sample recording.

The FIG. 12 screen shot also includes a “Custom” icon 260 that can beselected to further customize broadcast tone if an assisted userperceives that none of the low, medium or high tone settings isacceptable or optimized. When icon 260 is selected, the assisted user'sdevice 12 may present the exemplary screen shot shown in FIG. 13 whichis described in more detail below.

If an assisted user perceives that the tone is optimized after one ormore broadcasts of the recorded voices, the assisted user can select anaccept icon 216 to store the frequency setting within a device memory(see again FIG. 2) for subsequent use. If an assisted user perceivesthat an original or initial tone setting was best for that particularuser, the assisted user can simply select a “cancel” icon 218 to go backto the initial or original tone setting. An assisted user can exit thetone setting tools by selecting “Back” icon 220 to access other devicescreens for initiating a communication or to facilitate other devicefunctionality.

Referring to FIG. 13, the exemplary customizing screen shot includes anequalizer graph depiction 200 including a range of frequencies along anupper horizontal X axis and a range of decibels along a left vertical Yaxis. The exemplary illustrated frequencies include 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz. A separate slide column is associated with eachone of the frequencies on the representation 200 and a separate slidercontrol is associated with each one of the slide columns. For example, aslider control 202 is associated with the 250 Hz column. Other sliders204, 206, 208 and 210 are associated with the 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4kHz columns, respectively.

Each one of the slider controls can be moved up or down within thedecibel range illustrated to adjust the relative effect of theassociated frequency on the overall tone of the broadcasted voicemessages. To this end, in at least some embodiments, the display 22 maybe a touch sensitive display so that an assisted user can simply touchone of the slider controls and move the slider control up and down theassociated slide column. Once the slider controls are set as desired byan assisted user, in at least some embodiments, the assisted user maychoose to listen to an optimal sample voice recording broadcast by thedevice speaker 24 in the fashion described above with respect to FIG.12. To this end, the FIG. 13 screen shot includes similar control iconsand tools 212, 214, 216, 218 and 220 that operate as indicated above.Here, the “Back” control causes device 12 to simply replace the FIG. 13screen shot with the FIG. 12 screen shot.

If the assisted user listens to a recording and does not believe thatthe tone has been optimally set for the user, the assisted user cansimply reposition the slider controls 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210 alongthe slide columns to modify the output tone and select the play icon 212again to rehear the sample recording and personally assess whether ornot the tone is optimized.

Referring now to FIG. 14, an exemplary process 230 that may be performedby the assisted user using an assisted user's device 12 and theexemplary tools shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is shown at 230. Referring alsoto FIGS. 1 and 2, at block 232, the user's device 12 stores an optimalsample male/female voice recording in the device memory. At block 234, adevice user causes the device 12 to access tone setting software (e.g.,via selection of a “settings” or “preferences” icon on display 22). Atblock 234, once the tone setting tool is accessed, device 12 presentsthe screen shot shown at FIG. 12 (or in FIG. 13). At block 236, anassisted user uses the tone setting controls to adjust tone. At block238, the assisted user's device processor 12 (see again FIG. 2) monitorsfor selection of the play icon 212. If play icon is not selected atblock 238, control passes to block 242 and on to block 244 where theprocessor 20 monitors for selection of either the accept icon 216 or thecancel icon 218, respectively. If the play icon is selected at decisionblock 238, control passes to block 240, where processor 20 plays thesample voice recording for the assisted user. After block 240, controlpasses down to blocks 242 and 244. At block 242, if the accept icon 216is not selected, control passes to block 244. At block 244, if thecancel icon 218 is not selected, control passes back up to block 236where the assisted user can continually adjust the slider controls andplay the sample recording until the tone is optimized.

Referring still to FIGS. 1, 2 and 12 through 14, at block 242, if theaccept icon 216 is selected, control passes to block 246 where the tonesettings are stored by processor 12 after which control passes back upto block 234. At block 244, if a cancel icon is selected control passesto block 248 where the tone settings for the device 12 are reset to thestored initial values and control passes back up to block 234 where theprocess continues.

In at least some embodiments it is contemplated that an assisted usermay have different tone preferences for different types of voices. Forinstance, an assisted user may prefer one tone setting for a male voiceand another tone setting for a female voice. In some embodiments anassisted user may be able to use the tone setting tools in FIGS. 12 and13 or similar tools to set separate make and female audiograms (e.g.,customized equalizer settings as shown in FIG. 13). The assisted user'sdevice processor 20 may be programmed to categorize any incoming voicemessage as either typically male or typically female based on tones inthe voice and to then use one of the two associated male and femaleaudiograms to tune the message for broadcasting to the assisted user.More than two different customized audiograms are contemplated where theprocessor 20 may be programmed to distinguish between multiple voicetypes (e.g., 4) and to use different audiograms for different voicetypes.

In at least some embodiments it is contemplated that an assisted usermay be able to customize an audiogram for one or more specific hearingusers. For instance, where an assisted user routinely converses withfive hearing users, in at least some embodiments the assisted user mayidentify a separate audiogram for each of the five hearing users whichcan be stored in a database with one or more phone numbers associatedwith the specific hearing user. For instance, while an assisted user isconversing with the assisted user's daughter, the assisted user mayaccess the equalizer tool in FIG. 13 and play with the tone settingsuntil the user can optimally hear the daughter's voice messages beingbroadcast. Once the tone is optimized, the user may store the tone to besubsequently used whenever the assisted user device is linked to thedaughter's telephone (e.g., stored with the phone number associated withthe daughter's phone). Thereafter, when the daughter's phone is linkedto the assisted user's device 12, processor 20 may automatically use theaudiogram associated with the daughter's phone number to optimize thetone. Other optimized audiograms for other phone numbers may be storedand automatically used subsequently.

In some embodiments processor 20 may be programmed to recognize specifichearing person's voices and to select previously stored audiograms forspecific hearing user's that call an assisted user. Here, voice uniqueaudiograms may be specified and stored by an assisted user forsubsequent use. This feature would enable caller specific audiograms forat least a subset of frequent callers irrespective of the phone numbersused by the callers. This feature would also enable tone preferences formultiple callers that use the same phone to call an assisted user'sdevice. For instance, where an assisted user's daughter is married andhas four kids so that six people may call the assisted user routinelyusing the daughter's phone, different audiograms may be stored for eachof the six possible callers or for the two most frequent callers (e.g.,the daughter and a grandson) with a generic audiogram used when any ofthe other four callers call.

While the system is described above as one where an assisted user'scontact and other information is stored in a memory maintained on anassisted user's device, in other embodiments it is contemplated that anassisted user's contact and other information may be stored somewhereelse such as, for instance, in a database associated with the systemserver or some other remote server. In this case, if a proxy attempts toupdate or change contact information a process similar to the processdescribed above would be performed to seek and obtain confirmation toupdate from an assisted user and then the data in the server would beupdated accordingly.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theinvention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. For example, while the system described above does notallow a proxy to indicate to an assisted user's device when informationis available for updating the user's device information, in otherembodiments once a proxy has indicated that update data is ready to besynchronized with an assisted user's device, the proxy may transmit async request to an assisted user's device. In this case the sync controloption may only be provided on the assisted user's device within a timeout period after a proxy has requested synchronization. In this case theassisted user may select the sync control icon to commencesynchronization as described above. Where the sync control is notselected within the time out period, the sync control may be removedfrom the assisted user's device.

In at least some cases it is contemplated that a “No sync” control mayalso be presented to an assisted user via a virtual control iconsuitably labelled. In these cases, if the no sync icon is selected, a nosync signal may be sent to the server causing the server to forego thesynchronization process.

Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of constructionor design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. Itis therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above maybe altered or modified and all such variations are considered within thescope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection soughtherein is as set forth in the claims below.

Thus, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the following appended claims.

To apprise the public of the scope of this invention, the followingclaims are made:

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for maintaining contact information inan assisted user's communication device where the assisted user ishearing impaired, the method including the steps of: providing a website for altering assisted user contact information; linking a proxydevice to the web site; receiving an identifier associated with theassisted user's device via the proxy device; identifying an assisteduser's device via the received identifier; enabling the proxy device tobe used to modify assisted user contact information for the assisteduser associated with the received identifier; starting a timer to timeout a sync timeout period; during the sync timeout period, receiving anindication via the assisted user's device confirming a desire to updatethe assisted user's contact information; updating the assisted user'scontact information; and at the end of the timeout period, ceasing theindication that updated data is ready to be used from the assisteduser's device.
 2. A method for setting tones on an assisted user'scommunication device where the assisted user is hearing impaired, themethod comprising the steps of: (a) storing a sample voice recording ina memory of an assisted user's device; (b) presenting tone setting toolsvia a display screen on an assisted user's device; (c) receiving tonesetting parameters via the assisted user's device; (d) playing thesample voice recording via a speaker on the assisted user's device wherethe sample voice recording is broadcast using the tone specified by thetone setting parameters; (e) repeating steps (b) through (d) until thetone of the sample voice recording is optimized; and (f) storing theoptimized tone setting parameters for subsequent use.